Open Citizen

Video Briefing

Nomad Capitalist: Where to Get Second Citizenship Without Moving

Dec 5, 2021Video Briefing10:56Watch on YouTube

A growing number of people are looking for a “plan B” passport they can obtain without having to relocate. Below is a concise overview of the three main routes that allow you to acquire a second citizenship while remaining in your home country.

1. Citizenship‑by‑Investment (CBI)

CBI programs grant citizenship in exchange for a financial contribution, eliminating the need for long‑term physical residence.

Region / Country Typical Investment Physical‑Presence Requirement Notes
Caribbean (St. Lucia, Dominica, St. Kitts & Nevis, Grenada)  ≈ US$100 k donation (plus processing fees) None during application; no language test Fastest route; most affordable for single applicants.
Antigua & Barbuda  ≈ US$100 k donation Short visit (a few days) within the first five years to renew passport Slightly higher total cost due to extra fees, but competitive for families of four.
Turkey  US$400 k real‑estate or US$500 k bank deposit Usually a brief visit to complete the purchase or open the account Minimal residence; still requires a physical transaction.
Europe – Malta  €600 k–€1 M (donation + investment) No residence required for the “citizenship‑by‑investment” track; strict due‑diligence High cost, but yields an EU passport.
Europe – Bulgaria  €500 k‑€1 M investment No residence required for the fast‑track option Still in the low‑seven‑figure range.

Key considerations

  • Cost – Minimum outlay starts around US$100 k for a single applicant; families may need higher contributions.
  • Due‑diligence – Programs with higher fees typically impose stricter background checks.
  • Source of wealth – Crypto‑heavy portfolios can face additional banking scrutiny in some jurisdictions.
  • Residency – Most Caribbean programs have no ongoing stay requirement; Turkey and European options may need a brief visit for the investment.

2. Citizenship by Descent

If you can prove ancestry from a country that grants citizenship to descendants, you may obtain a passport without ever living there.

  • Eligible countries often include Germany, Poland, Italy, Mexico, and others that allow citizenship through a parent, grandparent, or great‑grandparent.
  • Process – Requires gathering birth, marriage, and sometimes naturalisation records; the main interaction is an appointment at the relevant embassy or consulate.
  • Timeline – Typically a few years, though some nations (e.g., Italy) can expedite the procedure if you spend a short period in the country.
  • No language or residence test – Most descent‑based applications do not demand language proficiency or physical presence.

Practical tip: Start by mapping your family tree and obtaining official documents; many applicants discover eligibility they were unaware of.

3. Paper‑Residence Paths Leading to Citizenship

Some countries offer relatively inexpensive residence permits that require only minimal physical presence. After a prescribed period of legal residence, you may apply for citizenship.

Country Residence Requirement Typical Investment / Fee Path to Citizenship
Argentina / Uruguay Variable; often a judge’s discretion Low (bank deposit or modest investment) Citizenship after 2–5 years, depending on case.
Colombia One day per year to maintain residency Small bank deposit or property purchase Citizenship possible after 5 years.
Panama One day per year to keep permanent residence Moderate investment (e.g., US$80 k in a local fund) Citizenship after 5 years, but approval can be uncertain.
Paraguay Minimal stay; historically popular US$5 k bank deposit Citizenship after 3 years, though recent tightening has reduced attractiveness.
Portugal Golden Visa 7 days per year in Portugal €500 k real‑estate or capital transfer Permanent residence after 5 years; citizenship after 6 years.

Advantages

  • Lower upfront cost than CBI (often under US$50 k).
  • Allows you to keep your primary residence unchanged.

Risks & Caveats

  • Policy changes – Governments may tighten rules after a surge of applications (as happened in Paraguay).
  • Uncertainty – Some jurisdictions leave the final citizenship decision to individual judges.
  • Time commitment – Even minimal physical presence (e.g., a day per year) may be inconvenient for large families.

Choosing the Right Route

  1. Budget – If you can allocate six‑figures, Caribbean CBI programs are the quickest and require virtually no travel. If your budget is tighter, explore descent or paper‑residence options.
  2. Family size – Donation‑based CBI programs often have tiered pricing; a family of four may find Antigua & Barbuda more cost‑effective than single‑applicant programs.
  3. Wealth source – Crypto‑dominant portfolios may encounter banking hurdles in certain CBI jurisdictions; paper‑residence routes that rely on bank deposits could be smoother.
  4. Time horizon – Descent and paper‑residence paths can take several years; CBI can deliver a passport within months.
  5. Desired passport strength – EU passports (e.g., Malta, Portugal) provide broader travel and work rights but come at a higher price point.

By evaluating these factors against your personal circumstances, you can select a citizenship‑acquisition strategy that aligns with a “stay‑where‑you‑are” lifestyle while securing a reliable backup passport.

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